Photo by Hillary Maybery for SI Rodeo Daily
That's a First: Sparse Spectators in Round 6 of NFR
Only a limited number of fans were granted the opportunity to watch Round 6 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge held Wednesday morning. Competitors showed up ready to race and ride.
Jacob Lees and Tanner Aus kicked things off in Round 6 of the bareback riding. The pair of 87-point rides placed them at the top of the leaderboard. Lees was aboard Bronc Riding Nation from Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics and Aus took a re-ride on Flying U Rodeo's Lil Red Hawk. Right behind them were Jayco Roper, Mason Clements and Clayton Biglow, all scoring 86 points. These three cowboys split third, fourth and fifth place money.
Dirk Tavenner had a breakthrough moment in Round 6 of his third NFR. He was 3.6 seconds on the run. Stan Branco landed in second place with his 3.8-second run. Three cowboys ran a 4-flat in Round 6. Splitting third, fourth and fifth were Tyler Waguespack, Nick Guy and Ty Erickson.
Veterans of the Thomas & Mack, Erich Rodgers and Paul Eaves were overdue for some luck in Round 6. The team put together a 3.5-second run to top the competition Wednesday morning. Second and third place was split between Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins II, and Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord. Both teams were 3.6 on their steer in the matinee performance.
Kade Bruno took the victory lap for his 88.5-point ride on Cat Walk of Summit Pro Rodeo, a standout bucking horse. Bruno sits 3rd in the average currently and this win added to his lead. Splitting second and third were Sage Newman and Damian Brennan. Both of the cowboys rode for 8 seconds and scored 86 points; Newman on Chester owned by Stace Smith Pro Rodeos and Brennan on Vein Reflections of Legacy Pro Rodeo, LLC.
Four-time world champion tie-down roper, Caleb Smidt, was 6.8 seconds in Round 6, winning back-to-back rounds. Smidt's horse, "Pockets," continues to show his reliability in the Thomas & Mack. Second in Round 6 of the tie-down roping went to Tuf Cooper. He was 7.2 seconds on the round. Haven Meged, Shad Mayfield and Hunter Herrin split third, fourth and fifth, each of them making a 7.4-second run.
Emily Biesel and "Liza" were victorious in Round 6 of the barrel racing. Beisel blazed down the alley and clocked a time of 13.60 seconds. Stevi Hillman and her horse, "Sandi," ran a 13.62, placing them second in the round. Third place in Round 6 went to Jordan Briggs for her 13.68-second barrel racing run.
In the bull riding, Sage Kimzey won another consecutive round but shared the victory lap with Josh Frost. Kimzey and Frost both rode for 86.5 points and split the first-place win. Kimzey rode County Jail owned by Frontier Rodeo Company, and Frost rode Wild Time of Wayne Vold Rodeo. Ky Hamilton and Jeff Askey split third and fourth place money, scoring 85.5 points on their rides.
Round 7 of the Wrangler National Finals will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 8:54 p.m. EST.
See the results for Round 6 below:
Bareback Riding
1/2. Tanner Aus, on Flying U Rodeo 's Lil Red Hawk, and Jacob Lees, on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics 's Bronc Riding Nation, 87 points, $27,487 each
3/4. Clayton Biglow, Mason Clements and Jayco Roper, 86, $13,042 each
6. Leighton Berry, 85.5, $4,953.
Steer Wrestling
1. Dirk Tavenner, 3.6 seconds, $30,706
2. Stan Branco, 3.8, $24,268
3/4/5. Ty Erickson, Nick Guy and Tyler Waguespack, 4.0, $13,042 each
6. Stephen Culling, 4.1, $4,953.
Team Roping
1. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 3.5 seconds, $30,706 each
2/3. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord and Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 3.6, $21,296 each
4. Luke Brown/Hunter Koch, 3.7, $12,877
5. Clay Smith/Paden Bray, 3.8, $7,924
6. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.9, $4,953.
Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Kade Bruno, 88.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo's Cat Walk, $30,706
2/3. Damian Brennan and Sage Newman, 86, $21,296 each
4. Ryder Sanford, 85.5, $12,877
5. Wyatt Casper, 85, $7,924
6. Brody Cress, 84.5, $4,953
Tie-Down Roping
1. Caleb Smidt, 6.8 seconds, $30,706
2. Tuf Case Cooper, 7.2, $24,268
3/4/5. Hunter Herrin, Shad Mayfield and Haven Meged, 7.4, $13,042 each
6. Shane Hanchey, 7.5, $4,953.
Barrel Racing
1. Emily Beisel, 13.60 seconds, $30,706
2. Stevi Hillman, 13.62, $24,268
3. Jordon Briggs, 13.68, $18,325
4. Sissy Winn, 13.69, $12,877
5. Summer Kosel, 13.73, $7,924
6. Jessica Routier, 13.79, $4,953.
Bull Riding
1/2. Josh Frost, on Wayne Vold Rodeo's Wild Time, and Sage Kimzey, on Frontier Rodeo 's County Jail, 86.5 points, $27,487 each
3/4. Jeff Askey and Ky Hamilton, 85.5, $15,601 each
5. Jordan Hansen, 84.5, $7,924
6/7. Trey Kimzey and Creek Young, 83.5, $2,476 each.
